I don’t even know where to begin as we approach the most wonderful time of the year. We have been settling in to our quasi new normal, and what happens? We get shut down again, in the middle of Q4 no less. COVID-19 cases are surging in a big way and hospitalizations are up in many areas. The Philadelphia mayor has shut down indoor dining, gyms and just about every other large congregating place one can imagine. New Yorkers apparently have been ordered to wear face masks in their own homes if anyone other than its residents are present (really?). Every mainstream media outlet has advised the general population to start bringing holiday items into their homes (aka, hoarding) in case they are unable to get out later in the month. Retailers have also issued statements to vendors and brokers urging them to up their projections and schedule early deliveries through the end of the 2020 holidays. Schools are closing and lessons are returning to the virtual mode. The vaccines are almost ready to go, more effective than expected and plentiful. The question is: is it just in time or a tad too late? Were we a little lax with the safety protocols? Did we let our guard down? The anxiety levels are creeping up again. Ugh. I will just repeat the mantra: practice social distancing, wash your hands, and for goodness sake, just wear the damn mask!
Late in October, Acme Markets opened its first new store in quite a while when it cut the ribbon on a new store in the University City section of Philadelphia at the site of a former Fresh Grocer. This isn’t Acme’s first attempt at an urban store, and this one offers a first-class grocery experience that includes expanded varieties of fresh product, a full-service deli and hot foods department with newly hired chefs cooking in-store, top-quality meats and seafood, and a large selection of natural, gluten free, organic, and local products. “Our new store celebrates our customers and we are thrilled to offer them such a fantastic new shopping experience,” said Jim Perkins, president of Albertsons Mid-Atlantic. “From our product selection to the design and layout of the store, our goal was to tailor this store for our neighbors in University City and West Philadelphia. We’ve created a fresh, new feel to the shopping experience with greater selections, convenience, and variety. We look forward to continuing to bring the best of Acme to the residents of University City and West Philadelphia for many years to come.”
Acme leadership, along with University of Pennsylvania EVP Craig Carnaroli, UFCW 1776’s Wendell Young, IV and local officials joined store director Andy Weis at the official ribbon cutting ceremony on October 22, when Acme donated $50,000 to local hunger programs supporting the West Philadelphia community. For the first time, the ceremony was broadcasted virtually to the public. There were a few standouts at the new store, including sushi, Poke bowls, Asian hot bar, whole focaccia pizza, BBQ station – all made in-store. In addition to an in-store Starbucks, there is a large beer and wine set combined with cold and warm space, featuring many local craft beer options. But the coolest addition was the solution to the salad bar’s demise due to COVID-19: Sally the Salad Robot by Chowbotics. Sally holds 21 salad bar ingredients at 37 degrees Fahrenheit each of which can be seen as customers pick what they want in their salad. First, a bowl is placed in the slot provided. Then, as the choices are made, the calories, protein carbs, etc. are tallied. Once the order is completed on the touchpad, the salad is made in the bowl and the customer takes it out, puts a lid on it and off they go. Hopefully, Sally will be the solution retailers have been looking for. During the opening festivities, a special shout out was given to 49-year Acme veteran Joe Hultz, who has held many positions at Acme and is now district manager for special projects. Congratulations, Joe and Acme!
As shoppers navigate state and local restrictions during the holiday season, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) has provided the best practical guidelines to keep shoppers and grocery store workers safe during the holidays with COVID-19 spiking, a capsule of which is listed here. They ask that everyone use these helpful safe shopping tips to shop with ease during this holiday season: (1) Limit going to the grocery store to only when it is essential and focus on buying what you need. As you shop the holidays, plan ahead (if you are like me, my lists have lists). (2) All shoppers must wear face masks. (3) Reduce store crowding by shopping alone. (4) Practice safe social distancing throughout the store even at checkout. Six feet is the safe distance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. (5) Avoid handling any items in the store, unless it’s for purchase. The recommended practice is to use a produce bag to make your selection. Let your eyes do the shopping. (6) When using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, wipes or disposable face masks, discard responsibly and do not leave these soiled items in your cart or in the parking lot. (7) Wash your reusable grocery bags at home and thoroughly disinfect after each use. (8) Check your local store’s special hours or shopping procedures. (9) Be patient and allot more time than you are used to for shopping. (10) Treat employees with respect and kindness, especially during the holidays! For the full explanation on each point, please go to www.njfoodcouncil.com/breaking-news/.
Are you all still enjoying Shark Tank? Well, the sharks have nothing on Kenny ShopRites in Delaware. They have introduced “Aisle Trials.” What is this, you ask? It is a year-round pitch competition for new-product introduction that Kenny ShopRites has developed. Chris Kenny, a very community-minded retailer, has given local entrepreneurs and larger CPGs alike the chance to get their products on the shelves of his six ShopRite supermarkets in New Castle County, DE. It’s pretty simple to enter. Applicants have to upload a 60-second video featuring their product onto www.chrislkenny.com/aisle-trials. According to the website, products are reviewed by their panelist of industry expert judges. Then, the top three finalists will be interviewed by Aisle Trials’ judges and receive a free mentorship session. Two rounds were scheduled in 2020 and 2021 looks promising as well. Don’t be shy, apply! Chris and his team are looking for new products all the time. We hope to have the videos of the competition on our website soon, so please check it out.
Another great partnership Chris has initiated during the pandemic that continues is working with local restaurants that might have otherwise gone out of business. The restaurants packaged up sauces, pastas and other favorites and put them for sale in Kenny ShopRites. Pricing had to be agreed to, and with posts on social media by both ShopRite and the restaurants themselves, the program has taken off. Chris Kenny’s goals are to promote more community partnerships, and he leads by example. This is part of their business model. He wants Kenny’s ShopRites to become a resource for the Delaware community. It looks like they are headed in the right direction.
As many of you know, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, now known as JDRF, is close to my heart. Diabetes in all forms affects the lives of more than 425 million people worldwide, and that is just too many. My family and I have been volunteering since the inception of JDRF in 1970 to help find a cure for Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, as the founder, Lee Ducat, was our close friend and neighbor. When my son was diagnosed in 2001 at the age of 12, the fight became personal and I can tell you that there is nothing more powerful than a parent fighting for the life of his or her child. Lee Ducat was “just a mom” when her oldest son Larry was diagnosed at age 9. She questioned the doctors: what is being done to make my child’s life better and find a cure? No answer. So, she sprang into action and asked Larry’s doctor for his patient list (that could never be done today). Using that as an invite-list, she hosted a cocktail party in her home in May of 1970 and JDRF was born. On November 17, sadly, Larry Ducat died from complications of Type 1 diabetes at the age of 65. He was the reason for the existence of JDRF and while we mourn his passing, we are also forever grateful for his life. We would truly not be this close to a cure without him. Rest in peace, my dear friend, and thank you.
Birthday shoutouts for the bountiful month of November go to: Jim Mullen, Stop & Shop; John Saidnawey, JOH; Mike Mackin, Schmidt Baking; Mike Marano, Force One; Anthony Maglio Jr., Maglio Sausage; Bernie Ellis, retired retail veteran; and me, happy to take one more trip around the sun! Buon compleanno a tutti!
As we gather with family and friends to celebrate our most American holiday, please remember those who are without the means to put a Thanksgiving dinner on their table and say a prayer for our troops at home and abroad who continue to sacrifice every day for our way of life. Happy Thanksgiving!
Quote of the month: “May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump, may your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize, and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.” – Timeless poem, author unknown
